Source: Walt Belcher of The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA – Controversial Tampa radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem has been fired from his gig with TNA Wrestling after an ugly confrontation last week with a female wrestler that was broadcast on radio.
The profanity- and insult-filled verbal assault on Kia Stevens (aka Awesome Kong) took place on “The Cowhead Show” on Tampa’s WHPT, 102.5 FM, on Wednesday.
Stevens, a former Total Nonstop Action Wrestling champion, had phoned the program, and Clem was in the studio. They got into a heated verbal exchange, during which he made statements about Haiti that could be interpreted as racial slurs.
On Friday night, TNA Wrestling officials posted a notice on its website that the company “has elected to terminate the services of Todd Clem aka Bubba the Love Sponge.”
Following the announcement, insults aimed at TNA were posted on Clem’s Twitter page.
TNA president Dixie Carter made “a knee-jerk decision,” and “she will feel the wrath of Bubba,” the radio host said this morning.
He addressed the issue on his morning radio show on WHPT, telling a caller that he was probably better off without being on TNA but he didn’t want to go out “painted as a racist.” He also continued to bash Stevens with a vulgar name.
Clem, 44, joined TNA this year to do backstage interviews on a cable wrestling show that also features Hulk Hogan. Clem’s abrasive in-your-face style appeared to anger some TNA wrestlers. Stevens slapped him backstage at a TNA event in January and has since claimed Clem made a harassing telephone call to her home. Clem denied this.
Cowhead came to Clem’s defense today, issuing a statement saying he was “shocked by the hypocrisy” of TNA officials who fired Clem but are allowing Stevens to stay with the organization.
Exclusive audio of the exchange is available at www.cowheadradio.com. TNA Wrestling is carried on Spike TV.
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